Cocaine Bust – Five Arrested – Names Released

(ATIKOKAN, ON) – Five people were arrested following a search warrant execution at a residence in the Mercury Avenue East area of Atikokan.

On February 29, 2024, at approximately 8:30 a.m., members of the Atikokan Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with Rainy River District Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), Northwest Region Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), Northwest Region Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Northwest Region Canine Unit executed a search warrant at a residence on Mercury Avenue East in Atikokan.

Four people are facing a variety of charges as the investigation continues. Officers seized a number of suspected illicit substances including approximately 70 grams of cocaine, crack cocaine, over 130 narcotic pills, and approximately 15 grams of fentanyl. Officers also seized over $6,000 in cash and drug trafficking equipment. The drugs have an estimated street value of approximately $25,000.

Joshua Ray VERAN, 35 years old of Atikokan; Meagan Elizabeth VERAN, 35 years old of Atikokan; Kimo Jhevani ALLEN, 23 years old of North York, and Kamal HOLDER, 33 years old of North York are all charged under the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with:

• Possession of a controlled substance for trafficking – Schedule I (cocaine)
• Possession of a controlled substance for trafficking – Schedule I (fentanyl)
• Possession of a controlled substance for trafficking – Schedule I (oxycodone)
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Joshua VERAN and Meagan VERAN also face an additional criminal charge of fail to comply with probation. 

All of the accused are being held in custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances on March 1, 2024, for a bail hearing.

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